She lowered her eyes and dusted imaginary lint from her sweater. Her mind danced about, searching for something—anything to say that would distract from the reaction his touch triggered. Spotting the antique quilt suspended above their table, she babbled on about its design and pattern until their food arrived. Finally, something to put in her mouth besides her foot.
Chapter 15
Jack breathed a prayer of thanks when the food arrived, saving any further discussion. He could kick himself for blurting out the impromptu invitation. What had he been thinking! He hoped she wouldn’t be offended. He didn’t want her to believe he was some fast-moving slime ball that wanted to hurt her. Much to his relief, she seemed to take it in stride.
He noted that she hadn’t started in on her meal. Her expression denoted uncertainty. “Something wrong—you need the waitress to bring you anything?” He looked around for their server, rising from his seat when he sensed her slight touch on his sleeve.
Her mouth curved in what might be described as a shy smile. “Would you mind if we prayed first? I can . . . I mean . . . if you aren’t comfortable.”
Of course! He closed his eyes, fighting the urge to slap himself upside the forehead. Ashamed by the lapse, he hurried to reassure her. “I don’t mind at all. Please, allow me.”
He reached for her hand, aware of her slim, cool fingers as he said a simple prayer of thanks. No one else noticed the small gesture, but for him, the quiet request had moved him more than he cared to admit.
A comfortable silence followed as they each unrolled their utensils from the linen napkins and savored their first bite. After a moment, Jack asked, “How’s that chicken?”
“M-m-m, wonderful.”
He nodded with appreciation and cut off a piece of his chicken. He dipped it in honey mustard before continuing. “I’d like to thank you for all your help today. You’re good at what you do. Mind if I ask what got you so interested in history?”
Jack watched as Sam dragged a French fry through ketchup and popped it in her mouth before she answered. “Not if you don’t mind me asking about that guy we were researching.”
He gave her a lopsided grin. “Fair enough.” How much should he share without sounding like a nut job? Better keep it generic. “I found some things in my house that got me thinking about the previous owners.”
“Oh? What sort of things?” She sipped her Diet Coke, leaving a hint of rose lipstick on her straw. Her green eyes shone with anticipation.
Jack shrugged. It was an innocent request, but he didn’t plan on discussing details yet. “Just old papers and stuff. How about you? What brought on your interest in all things Lynchburg?”
She laughed and waved off his question. “Pretty obvious.” She made an ark with her fork.
“What do you mean?”
“Look around. Lynchburg has to be one of the best kept secrets in Virginia. Look at our history and the cool things that happened here. We are saturated with things from the past, and it’s all still right here. Take this train depot for example. Think of the fascinating people that have walked through this station. This place has seen a Civil War, WWI, and WWII. If these walls could talk, imagine the stories they’d have to tell.”
Jack loved the way her eyes glowed when she spoke about the past. She spoke his language. It was rare to meet someone with such passion and enthusiasm for their work. Wow, where had this woman been all his life? He cringed at the cheesy cliché that sprang to mind. Whatever. He could listen to her talk all night, and much to his delight, that seemed just what she intended to do. She didn’t bring up Hunsdon or the house again. He thought of the newspaper clippings inside his truck and promised himself he would go through them as soon as he got home. For now, just listening to her knowledge of the city held him captivated. Would Jewel be impressed that he’d done his homework?
Later that evening, Jack twisted the cap off a Coke, listening to its satisfying crack as he flopped down on the sofa. The unopened envelope rested on his knee as he reflected on the direction tonight had gone with Sam. He couldn’t force the smile from his face, remembering how the conversation had flowed between them, how much they had in common, and the way she made him feel. No wonder his cheeks tingled. The muscles were so tight they tugged at his ears.
Jack hummed a little as he opened the file and pulled off the top article Sam had copied for him. There hadn’t been time to read it with Irene shooing them out the door. His expression melted to a frown as his eyes devoured the disturbing words. He studied the entire clipping twice, making sure he’d missed nothing. He went through each article with systematic precision, pulling at his chin, trying to decide what to do.
Sometime past 12 midnight on Sunday, August 14, 1890, a person or persons entered a home on Federal Street, and bludgeoned to death three people sleeping there, including two adults and a teenage girl. Mr. and Mrs. Josiah (Joe) Wiltshire along with their young daughter were found in their beds. Their teenage son, Hunsdon Wiltshire was unharmed, stating he found his family the following morning when they failed to come to breakfast.
The article went on asserting that the young man had been questioned and cleared of any wrongdoing in his family’s murder. He cooperated fully with the authorities and his whereabouts had been verified. Still, it left an uncomfortable sensation in the pit of Jack’s stomach.
He pulled out the news announcement publicizing the nuptial:
At the Cornerstone Baptist Church in Lynchburg, VA, at 8:30 o'clock Wednesday evening, January 10, occurred the marriage of Miss Eugenia Jewel BOYDOH, of Lynchburg, to Mr. Hunsdon W. WILTSHIRE, also of Lynchburg. The wedding ceremony was performed by the bride’s father Rev. Randolph Boydoh, of the Cornerstone Baptist Church.
The bride is very popular among her many friends. She is a member of the Needlecraft Club and the Woman’s Club of Lynchburg, and also of the C. W. B. M., of the Appomattox Christian church. She has a splendid alto voice that will be greatly missed as she was always ready and willing to help in any of the churches or wherever her voice was needed. Dr. Wiltshire is a prominent doctor in the Lynchburg community and had no family in attendance.
The couple left Lynchburg Wednesday night for Charlottesville, where they will spend a few days before returning to their home in Rivermont. They will be at home to receive friends after January 15.
The article went on to list several of the bridal party. It was odd that there had been no family in attendance for Jewel’s husband.
Sam promised she would continue to research and call him if she found something, and he intended on returning to the library as soon as he could. They had found little on Jewel. He wanted to write her with his concerns, but he wasn’t sure what to say.
*****
Jewel laid aside Jack’s letter and gazed out the window. A cold, chilly rain beat outside the glass as she looked into the bleak garden. She strained, picturing the vibrant flowers that would burst forth in a few months, but it was hard to see past the gray sticks and leaves that choked the flowerbeds.
The letter continued for pages, including everything from the librarian he met while researching, to trending news of 1917, both local and worldwide. Jewel thought as she twirled a lock of hair around her finger, the United States would enter the war in less than five months. This despite Wilson’s talk of peace. It would happen over something called the Zimmerman note.
It was certainly hard to imagine that a telegraph sent just a few weeks from now would change the course of history. Jack tried to explain it, but she found it hard to follow.
To her amusement, Jack appeared to be quite a baseball enthusiast, apparent from the enclosure of articles on the sport; Babe Ruth in particular. She followed the subject only regarding what Hunsdon read to her over the breakfast table in the mornings. But even she knew of Babe Ruth’s pitching in the World Series against the Brooklyn Robins.
She reread the letter, something she found she always did. Often, she missed things the first time reading through in her haste to fi
nd out all that he had to say. His letters were so full of information she found it difficult to digest it all at once. She feared hers must be dull in comparison.
The part of the letter that troubled her most was the information Jack found on Hunsdon’s family. Jewel bit her lip as she processed the news in light of what Hunsdon had told her. He hadn’t wanted to speak of it, making it seem like an accident. No wonder he’d been so vague. She had no idea it had been an unsolved murder. But the hour grew late.
Tucking the letter away, she hurried down the steps so as not to be late for breakfast. Hunsdon had been in unusually good spirits since the dress incident and she didn’t want to do anything to upset the delicate balance.
Her slippers made no sound as she flew over the carpeted floors, and rounded the foyer and careened to a stop at the dining room. She checked her pace, made the necessary adjustments to anything that may have slipped out of place, and slid into her chair just as the clock struck.
Hunsdon raised a brow, but otherwise chose not to comment on her near tardiness. “You look ravishing this morning, my dear. I see you have more color to your cheeks.”
Jewel raised a hand to her flushed cheek. “Do I? Why thank you, Hunsdon.”
Good humor transformed his eyes into a beautiful shade of blue, he could be almost pleasant to be around. Almost.
“Are you hungry?”
“Famished.” She picked up her napkin and placed it in her lap, just as Culpeper came through the door with a platter of bacon, eggs, and silver dollar–size pancakes.
“Good morn’n, Miss Jewel. You sho look’n pretty this morn’n. Yes, sir, Mister Wiltshire, sir, you sho is a lucky man, sir.”
“Why thank you, Culpeper. I just commented on how lovely Mrs. Wiltshire looks this morning, didn’t I dear?”
Jewel smiled her response and turned to address Culpeper. “Is that bacon that smells so good . . . and pancakes?”
“Sho is. Addie done outdid herself this morn’n. She done fried up ‘dem little sausages that you love too, Mister Wiltshire.” He brought the platter around and let them help themselves. “I’ll be right back with your juice, miss. I know how you love it.”
“If you know how she loves it, why don’t you just bring it out here to her first thing?” Hunsdon smirked as he unrolled the paper.
“No, sir. I likes to bring it to her freshly squeezed. Thata way none of the pulp gets stuck in the bottom. Yas’m, you jess sit right there, an’ ol’ Culpeper will git it faster’n you can say Gee-hos-ha-phat.”
Hunsdon shook his head and smiled as he unfurled the paper. “Hmm . . .”
“Something interesting?” Jewel poured warm syrup over her pancakes, savoring the smell of maple and bacon rising from the plate.
“Yes, says here that the Germans have sent another ship to the bottom of the sea. Laurentic, a former White Star liner sunk by a mine or submarine. Personally I’m happy that we are staying out of this one. Let Europe settle their own affairs. I think Wilson is a smart man not to get us involved. Just finished an article on his optimism for peace.”
“Perhaps we will see war before the year is out,” Jewel ventured between bites of her pancake.
“Preposterous! What would you know of war? Stick to the spring fashions, my dear.” He sniffed and buried his head back in the paper.
She sunk her fork into the light pancake, appreciating the fruits of Addie’s labor. “You can’t see into the future you know, and I’ll wager you’re wrong.”
He scanned sports news, muttering under his breath. “Neither can you. I guess the next thing you’ll be telling me is the Boston Red Sox won’t be in the World Series this year, and they’ll trade the Babe.” He folded up the paper, patted his mouth with his napkin, and rose. “I will be late for my rounds. I’m not sure I like this new attitude.” With that, he was gone, and so, apparently, was his good humor.
Chapter 16
1967
I expected shock at the news of my pregnancy. My stomach cramped with dread as I waited for those eyes to turn scornful. He would rise from his chair and walk out of my life forever. I braced myself, steeling my heart against the pain. Boomer's reaction left me reeling even more than if he’d stormed out.
“Janie, I already knew.” With a tenderness that stole my breath, he cupped my face and brushed away a tear.
“You did? B-b-but h—”
He placed a finger over my trembling lips. “Let me finish. I’ve known for weeks. Did you honestly think that would make a difference in the way I feel? Did you think I’d leave you alone to fend for yourself and the baby?”
He captured my hands in his. “I want to help you find your family, and before you protest, I’m a big boy—I understand it may mean delivering you into the hands of a waiting husband. I’d hate it, but it’s the chance I’m willing to take.”
“But—”
“Please . . . I need to finish this. If that’s the case . . . I’ll go away. I’ll lick my wounds and come back, hopefully to play the role of doting uncle.” He tweaked my nose. “But if I find out you’re not married . . . You’re in trouble, lady, because I want to be a part of yours and the baby’s lives.” He laughed, but I could tell he was serious. “Sorry, I don’t mean to sound like a stalker, but I’ve been praying about this, ever since I first laid eyes on you. There’s this peace I have . . . this is probably coming out all wrong, but just consider it?”
My mouth felt dry as I chewed my bottom lip. I realized I was stalling. Oh, how I wanted to say yes. It seemed too much to take in at once, and my head spun. Did I take a chance, putting us both in a position for heartbreak?
“Look, this can’t be easy, but I give you my word, no romantic pressure from me. We’ll get you well, we’ll find your family, and we’ll leave the rest up to the Lord. We’re both adults, and we’ll keep this platonic for now.” His eyes twinkled with mischief. “I promise to turn down my irresistible charm to cute and endearing if you’ll promise to behave yourself.” He held up his palm. “I know what you’re thinking . . . It’s going to be hard to ignore these good looks and incredible dimples.”
“Don’t forget modest and humble.” Oh, he was hard to resist. The corners of my mouth pulled upward despite my best efforts.
“That, too. Whatdaya say?” He pumped his eyebrows up and down.
“How can I refuse?”
He grew serious. “I’m so glad. You’ll see, this will work out. The Lord has His hand on this.”
“So what's next?”
“Let’s get you out of here. Grandfather will be excited to finally meet you; he’s been studying your files. He sends his apologies he couldn’t be here himself, but he doesn’t get out much since the stroke. He’s confined to his wheelchair and rather proud.”
“I still can’t believe he’s willing to go to such lengths to help a stranger. He must be a kind man.”
Boomer laughed. “Well, I hear he was a real tiger in his younger days, but strokes have a way of mellowing people out. Personally, I’ve never had issues with him. He took me in when I lost my parents. He’s been rather strict, but otherwise caring.”
“You lost both your parents? I’m so sorry. I had no idea.”
He shook his head and shrugged. “I was young and don’t remember much about them. My father died early in the war, and my mother died soon afterward in a car accident. That’s when I went to live with my grandfather.”
“So you have no sisters or brothers?”
“Nope, they broke the mold when they made me.”
“Well, he did something right to raise such a thoughtful grandson.” I fingered the rough edge of the blanket.
“What? It hasn’t been five minutes! I told you already, no flirting with me.”
I rolled my eyes and shoved him playfully. He grabbed my fingers, his Adam’s apple bobbing as if he wanted to say more. Instead, he gave my hand a small squeeze and stood. “Let’s find out what’s taking so long with that paperwork. Don’t you move from that spot until I ge
t back.”
Two hours passed before I could leave the hospital. Having nothing suitable to wear, Boomer had been kind enough to bring several outfits for me to choose from. I selected a white, knee-length dress that belted in the middle. The sash had a rose shaped flower with black and white petals. I pulled at the hemline comparing it to the length of the other women I passed. Perhaps my nerves were on edge. This would be my first time out of the hospital.
Sun glinted off the street and many vehicles that whipped around us. The noise and fumes were overwhelming. I focused instead on the red flowers swaying in the breeze along the hospital walk. The scene outside was rather peculiar. I felt much like Alice when she fell down the rabbit’s hole. Beyond the safety of my hospital room, the world felt very much as if I had landed in Wonderland.
“You okay?” Boomer asked after he’d helped me into his van. “You look like you’re going to be sick.”
“Yes, fine.” I nodded as he pulled out of the parking lot and merged with traffic. Cars darted in every direction, despite myself, I wanted to cover my eyes. My heart pounded, fighting the urge to return to the safety of my room. Instead, I sat still, willing myself to remain calm.
“You sure you’re okay?” He rolled his window down. “Maybe you need fresh air. It will only be a few minutes. It isn’t far from the hospital.”
“Please, don’t fret over me,” I said. The last thing I wanted was to be a bother. “I’ll be fine.” I managed a smile.
We bumped along in the van he called Lizzie seeing fewer and fewer houses before turning onto a street marked private. The paved road led up to two enormous brick columns. The gates were closed, but opened as if by magic when we pulled near.
We snaked our way, weaving down a winding drive. Flickering leaves of green shimmered alongside the road. I wondered how much further it would be when the impressive residence came into view. It looked like a small hotel.
“It’s just you and your grandfather?”
Timeless Moments Page 10